Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation dedicating sections of state roads in memory of Jake Arcara and Stephen Ebling, CSEA members who died while in work zones.
Arcara, 28, a machine equipment operator at the Town of Yorktown Highway Department, was killed on the job on Sept. 14, 2022, after he was struck by a vehicle while in a work zone. A four-year employee of Yorktown, Arcara was part of a tight-knit family and was engaged to be married.
Under the legislation, a section of Route 118 in Yorktown, also known as Saw Miller River Road, will be renamed “Jake Arcara Worker’s Memorial Highway.”
State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Matt Slater sponsored the legislation in their respective legislative houses. The law takes effect immediately.
Ebling, 58, a maintenance supervisor at the New York State Thruway Authority, died on Nov. 4, 2024, when he was struck by a car that crossed over hazard markings on the Silver Creek section of the highway.
Ebling, who was married with two children, was also a part-time police officer in the Town of North Collins in Erie County.
The governor signed legislation dedicating the bridge over the New York State Thruway along Eden Evans Road in memory of Ebling. Sponsoring the legislation were Assemblyman David DiPietro, state Sen. Patrick Gallivan and co-sponsored by state Sen. Leroy Comrie.The law takes effect immediately.
There is pending legislation to honor Capital Region activist Robert Bornt, who was killed while in work zone in Rensselaer County in May.
“CSEA was proud to support these bills as a fitting tribute to Jake and Stephen, but we know that more must be done,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “We will continue to advocate for stronger laws and protections to keep workers safe in dangerous roadside conditions.”
Work zone safety will remain a top priority for CSEA when the State Legislature returns in 2026. Our union will continue to work with Governor Hochul and her administration and state legislators to ensure improved road safety for CSEA members.
“As drivers, we all share responsibility,” said Sullivan. “Please remember to slow down in work zones and move over whenever vehicles or workers are on the side of the road. Together, we can save lives.”